Devon Civil Celebrant

22/08/2025

Almost exactly ten years ago, I took a dramatic turn in my life and retrained as a funeral celebrant. Today I reached my 3000th booking.

This is something I never dreamed of achieving, and I am amazed at how it has worked out in the way it has. It is hard to put into words what a privilege it has been to stand alongside so many families at their time of need. Every service, every story, every life remembered has mattered deeply.

I am so thankful for all the people I have worked with along the way: funeral directors, arrangers, crematorium staff, and many others, many of whom I now count as friends.

In my time I think that I have written just over six and a half million words and more than 135,000 people have attended my services - one man has been to 13 and he wants me to do his service when the time comes!

This work is sometimes heartbreaking, but it is also one of the most meaningful and humbling jobs I can imagine. To be trusted to help families say goodbye is an honour that I will never take for granted.

25/12/2024

I thought you might like to see this...

08/07/2024

I am sure most of you know I am a Funeral Celebrant - I started at the end of 2015 and undertaking around 300 services a year it has been my full-time profession ever since. And what a privilege that is

Sunday morning I was on the radio talking about my role and my upcoming book of poetry (upcoming likely means 18 months)

You can catch me here for the next 90 days. I was on the Sunday Morning Show with Howard James and my bit starts around 1 hour and 19 minutes in.

DevonAir Radio, Playing the Music You Love. Local radio for Exmouth, Exeter, Torbay & Teignmouth on FM and DAB+

15/08/2022

A lovely review from an amazing family:

Mark Giborson was recommended to me and my brother by Crewes Funeral Directors. We were keen to find someone experienced to lead our mother's funeral. After a bad experience tens years previously with another celebrant it was vital that we chose someone who we could trust implicitly and who had a great sense of humour. After explaining this to the funeral director she did indeed find us the perfect celebrant in Mark.

Initially we wanted to meet Mark in person to make sure he was a good match for us. He kindly made a home visit so my brother and I could discuss our requirements for the service. A rapport was quickly established and Mark put us totally at ease.
Throughout the whole process, from our initial meeting to the day of the funeral, we felt comforted and reassured by Mark's professional yet personable demeanour. He was incredibly supportive, empathetic and very communicative, responding to emails and calls promptly; Nothing was too much trouble and his attention to detail was impressive.

On the day of the funeral Mark lead the service with great ease, confidence and sensitivity. He was relaxed and humorous yet respectful, which is exactly what we had hoped for as we wanted the funeral to be a celebration of our mother's life and personality. There was much music and laughter as well as some tears but it was an absolutely perfect tribute to her. My whole family fell in love with Mark.

Half way through the service my Aunt whispered to me "Oh what a lovely, lovely man!" Everyone else echoed her comments throughout the day.
We struck gold when we chose Mark as our celebrant. The service ran seamlessly. We are so deeply grateful for everything he did for our family and for our mother. I can't recommend him highly enough. A day we will always remember and carry in our hearts forever.

Thank you Mark, you are a star!

12/07/2022

This is why I do what I do and I have had the privilege to be part of a number of amazing funerals recently that were full of laughter and tears, proper celebrations of life.

As well as tears there’s cake and laughter: remembering a well-lived life is a very human affair

10/06/2022

I started working full time as a funeral celebrant at the end of 2015 and can hardly believe where the time has gone.

May 2022 saw a huge landmark for me as I took my 2000th service.

What a journey and what a privilege to be present on so many occasions to support family’s in their greatest time of need.

It has also been a huge privilege working alongside so many amazing funeral directors and crematorium staff who do such an amazing job.

Nothing taken for granted, every day is a bonus

26/10/2021

This should now allow you to contact me via WhatsApp

24/10/2020

Got this lovely message from a family today, makes it all worthwhile.

I just wanted to say thank you again for the lovely way you conducted mom’s funeral service yesterday.

I could not have helped you plan the service without your guidance. You put me at ease straight away with your caring and compassionate manner.

My family and mom’s friends all agreed what a wonderful service it was and the way you delivered it was beautiful.

Thank you so much

13/10/2020

Just received this lovely message

Thank you so much for making my Grandad's funeral yesterday so personal, it was a really moving service and helped me say goodbye when covid meant I couldn't in person.